Attendance Office

Student attendance laws require the following days present to receive credit, provided the student receives a passing grade in the course.

In a 45-day course, a student must be present 42 days.
In a 90-day course, a student must be present 85 days.
In a 180-day course, a student must be present 170 days.

Students who exceed the approved limits for unexcused absences do not receive credit in the course.

Any student who misses more than 30 minutes of a 90-minute class or more than 15 minutes of a 45-minute class will be counted absent in that class.

State law mandates that children 5-years old to 17-years old must attend school. The school year consists of 180 school days. The district considers students present only when they are actually at school, on home bound instruction, or present at a school activity authorized by the school.

Absences and Excuses

If a student is absent, he/she must present a written excuse signed by a parent, guardian, physician or other appropriate person—within three days after returning to school. The excuse must include the date the excuse is written, date of the absence, reason for the absence, telephone number where the parent/guardian may be reached, and the required
signature.

The following guidelines apply for medical excuses:
• Original excuses must be submitted;
• No photocopies will be accepted;
• Faxes will be accepted from the doctor’s office only.

Excused Absences

The district gives excused absences with provided and approved documentation for:
• ill students whose attendance in school endangers their health or the health of others, as determined by a doctor or the school nurse

• chronically ill or students who have an extended illness, with a called in excuse from a doctor – this requires a letter on file from a doctor stating the student has a chronic illness

• students who must keep medical or dental appointments,

• students whose immediate family member has a serious illness,

• students whose immediate family member dies, (In the case of a death in the immediate family, the student must turn in an obituary or funeral announcement as well as a note from parent/guardian).

• students who wish to participate in a recognized religious holiday of their faith

• students who get permission, prior to a school-sponsored or school-approved event/activity, unusual or mitigating circumstances as determined by the school principal.

If you have any questions, please contact the Attendance Office at 803-821-5200.

Lexington County School District One does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in admission to, access to, treatment in or employment in its programs and activities.
The following people have been designated to handle inquiries or complaints. The Chief Human Resources Officer handles inquiries/complaints regarding Title IX. The Director of Middle Schools handles inquiries/complaints regarding Section 504. The Mathematics Coordinator handles inquiries/complaints regarding Title II. Contact these people if you have questions regarding these issues at 100 Tarrar Springs Road, Lexington, SC 29072 and telephone number (803) 821-1000.